Kobe Steel Raises Production Ratio of High Grade Steels to 50% in Kakogawa

Kakogawa iron works of Kobe Steel plans to increase production ratio of high grade steel products to 50% in fiscal 2015 ending in March 2016, up by 5 points from fiscal 2009. Kakogawa works plans to raise the ratio by 1 point per year. The works widens the product mix of high tensile steel sheet for automobile and wire rod for cold forging while increases production volume of special steel plate for petroleum refining and chemical industry.

Kakogawa works has tried to increase high grade steel products. The production rate upped to 45% in fiscal 2009 from 37-38% in fiscal 2006-2007. The works increases products menu for steel sheet, plate and wire rod while raises the production rate of high quality products.

For instance, the works developed 150kgf cold rolled high tensile steel sheet which has highest strength in the world. Kobe Steel tires to increase the sales by improvement of processability. As to steel plate, Kakogawa works aims to increase production ratio of special steel plate for petroleum refining and chemical industry as well as Thermo-Mechanical Control Process steel plate for building material and shipbuilding. As for wire rod, the works improves productivity of carbon steel wire for cold forging and steel code for tire.